AMERICUS �� Mrs. Shirley Jo Suggs Duke age 75, passed away early Sunday, May 13, 2018, at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2018, in the chapel of Aldridge Funeral Services. The Rev. Dr. Dennis Stalvey will officiate. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until service time Tuesday, May 15. The following are asked to serve as active pallbearers: Al Erkhart, Doug Williams, Keith Landers, Dwayne Layfield, Ralph Stuart, William Rambo and Rucker Smith. The Sumter County Sherriff’s Office employees and the Americus Police Department employees are asked to serve as honorary pallbearers.

Shirley Jo Suggs Duke was born July 19, 1942, in Americus, daughter of the late Joseph Emory Suggs and the late Jessie Mae McShan Suggs. She retired after 32 years of service to Sumter County as Magistrate Judge. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 from Council Magistrate Court Judges.

She was a member of Morningside Methodist Church and held many positions in the church that she dearly loved.

Survivors include her husband Bobby W. Duke Sr. of Americus; two sons and daughters-in-law Bobby Duke Jr. (Stacey) of Americus and Joseph Duke (Christy) of Americus; a brother and sister-in-law Jon Allan Suggs (Mary) of Americus; three grandchildren, Kristy Underwood of Ellaville, Wesley Duke (Jessica) of Valdosta, and Lucy Duke of Americus; two great-grandchildren, Kristopher Duke of Ellaville and Cooper Duke of Valdosta. Shirley was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruby Frances Suggs Stoehr and Betty Ann Suggs Woomer.

Memorial contributions may be made to Phoebe Sumter Hospice, P.O. Box 1434 Americus GA 31709

To sign the online guestbook and send your condolences to the family visit www.aldridgefuneralservices.com . Aldridge Funeral Services 612 Rees Park is in charge of these arrangements.